Friday, August 20, 2010

Cassia lives in a society that decides everything for its citizens for the greatest good of them all – even who you marry. When Cassia is matched with her best friend Xander, she is thrilled. But when viewing her matching card, another face flashes on the screen – that of mysterious classmate Ky. This seeming glitch awakens an awareness of forbidden desires within Cassia, and for the first time she begins to question a society where the individual has no right to choose.

MATCHED is without a doubt a well constructed novel, hitting all the expected beats of a YA dystopian novel. And while there may be few surprises for avid readers of the genre, there are some genuine discussion-worthy developments.

The society is set up to look to its citizens like a utopia. Strict regulations nearly guarantee you’ll live the prescribed number of years until your “final banquet”. Everyone is given the exact number of calories needed to maintain a perfect, healthy weight. The culture has been pared down to the hundred “best” of everything (poems, songs, stories, paintings, etc) so that everyone can appreciate them to their fullest instead of being overwhelmed with too much. It’s a society that rewards perfect order, but that also banishes any sort of individuality or aberration.

Cassia has always been a dutiful citizen, but she also likes to be a little different. She’s proud that she was the only one who chose the green dress for her match banquet. She thrills to the fact that her grandfather entrusts her with a forbidden poem (Dylan Thomas’ “Do not go gentle into that good night”) before his own “good night”. And when she learns she could never marry Ky because he’s not in the match pool, that makes her more determined to find moments to spend alone with him. But could it be that even Cassia’s small rebellions are orchestrated by her society? Is there a more sinister purpose behind their interest in Cassia?

I loved the world building here (which is why I just spent two paragraphs of my review on it). It’s logical, well-thought out, chilling and thought provoking. However, the rigid society setup does have its’ downside in that I never got to fully connect to Cassia emotionally, and I was never convinced she had genuine feelings for either Xander or Ky. I felt very much like I was being TOLD how to feel, instead of actually feeling it (which, you might argue, based on the ending, is exactly what Condie was going for…but I digress).

I enjoyed this installment, but really hope that the emotional impact quotient is raised in book two.

My rating? My head gives this 4 Zombie Chickens, but my heart gives it only 3. And in that battle, when it comes to reading, my heart always wins.

Still, I can highly recommend it as kind of a must-read. I know that doesn’t make much sense, but there you go! And because I want you to read it, and because it doesn’t come out until November 30, 2010, I am giving away my extra ARC to one lucky reader anywhere in the world. Just leave a comment telling me what poem you’d make sure got into the Hundred Poems if you were a creator of this society (or if you can’t think of a poem, you can also suggest a painting or a song). This contest will remain open until August 31st at 11:59 CST and is open internationally.

90 comments:

I really can't think of a poem but a song I think would be one of the 'hundred "best"' would be Smile by Uncle Kracker. Honestly the song is so cleverly written and just so sweet, the use of similes is just amazing !!! :P I love the song to death!

Who doesn't love "Jabberwocky"? At least, what kid doesn't love "Jabberwocky"? Other favorites from when I was a kid are "The Cremation of Sam McGee" by Robert W. Service and Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven". I must have been a very strange child, or had elementary school teachers with a very strange sense of humor...

I think the poem 'And They Obey' by Carl Sandburg would be what I would put if I were the creator of such a society. However, just to add, if I were to pick a poem somewhat voicing out Cassia it would be 'BOX' by Aisha Sherazi.

Hmmmmm, I don't read much in terms of poetry, but one poem that has stuck with me is e e cummings, i carry your heart with me. That is, aside from The Road Not Taken which probably wouldn't make it onto the list in a society where everything is chosen for you. :D

I can't imagine a world where there are only 100 books! That would be so depressing!

If I had to pick one of the 100 songs, it would definitely be Rusted Wheel by The Silversun Pickups, but since I am sure no one else has ever heard of them, or the song, I am not sure if it would make it!

Song for a Fifth Child by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton. It's not a complicated or impressive poem structurally (I think it was first published in Good Housekeeping), but it always makes me cry. Talk about heart over head. :)

I'd also have to third (or fourth? fifth?) If by Kipling. I love that poem.

While not a poem *exactly*, I feel that the children's book Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is poetic enough to qualify here and it is more meaningful and memorable to me than any other poem I've encountered in my life.

You won’t find a new country, won’t find another shore.This city will always pursue you. You will walkthe same streets, grow old in the same neighborhoods,will turn gray in these same houses.You will always end up in this city. Don’t hope for things elsewhere:there is no ship for you, there is no road.As you’ve wasted your life here, in this small corner,you’ve destroyed it everywhere else in the world. by Constantine Cavafy

It seems so depressing, but at the same time, it reminds me (a chronic nomad) that no matter where I go I will always be myself and my home will come with me.

No need to enter me Lenore. I just wanted to say that this novel sounds really good. It's interesting to think about a society controlled down to the smallest thing but very scary. It seems like it might be a good series to follow just to see what's in store for Cassia.

I already read and loved Matched especially the world building. In many ways it reminded me of The Giver by Lowry. I will say you hit the nail on the head about not knowing if she has real feelings for either Ky or Xander and the emotional disconnect can sometimes put off readers. Thank you for the review!

I would choose any poem by Shel Silverstein, most likely The Little Boy and the Old Man or Where the Sidewalk Ends. He inspires imagination and creativity, and those kids of the future could really use some individuality, which seeps from Shel's work.

I love T. S. Eliot's 'The Hollow Men', so I'd definitely have to choose that one. But then I remembered 'Enter Without So Much As Knocking' by Bruce Dawe and just couldn't choose - so I guess I'd end up smuggling one of them so that it didn't get destroyed!

There are too many poems that I like to pick a favorate.. BUT the poem that most reminds me of this book is: My Love's A Match by Alfred P. Graves

My Love's a match in beautyFor every flower that blows,Her little ear's a lilly,Her velvet cheek a rose;Her locks are gilly gowansHang golden to her knee.If I were King of Ireland,My Queen she'd surely be.

Her eyes are fond forget-me-nots,And no such snow is seenUpon the heaving hawthorn bushAs crests her bodice green.The thrushes when she's talkingSit listening on the tree.If I were King of Ireland,My Queen she'd surely be.